The MTA has a budget deficit of $1.2 BILLION dollars. Even after slashing costs, it’ll be around $600M.

This is where you come in

SecondAvenueSaga’s Ben Kabak says the NY Daily News is being alarmist , inferring the base MetroCard fare will go to $3 a ride, but concedes that the MetroCard is a very likely target an that $2.50 is a very real possibility.

This is not likely to be the only hurt MTA will be laying on us.

Via SecondAvenueSagas

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: NYC Subway MetroCards $3 to Fix $1.2B MTA Budget Deficit?

The glitch, which affects both LIRR and Metro-North ticket machine sales of train tickets and MetroCards, allows users to purchase tickets with their debit cards even if they do not have enough money in their account – the account was not charged at all.

The bug has existed since 2001, and about 1,000 riders have innocently benefited – most of them probably never realizing their accounts were not charged.

However, the bug was discovered by a couple from Roosevelt, NY, who exploited the LIRR machines systematically, buying over $880,000 in tickets for resale. The couple has been arrested and the software glitch repaired.

The glitch was discovered by MTA during software testing in which a technician used test cards from banks.

Its too bad this bug got exploited, because I think its great that in the last 7 years, about 1,000 people trying to get to work, and who have no money in their bank account, got free tickets.

I like to picture some 20-something, hung-over and late for the train, on a hot July morning getting off her bike and scrambling to the platform, useless debit card in hand, praying that she can get just get to work *today*. And then bing – a gift from the gods. Awesome.

Via New York Times

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Metro-North, LIRR Ticket Machines Cough Up Nearly $1 Million in Free Tickets

According to MTA, the money will reappear in your account if you were affected – riiggghhttt…..

I guess the MetroCard machines work similarly to the recent fare hikes – money in, nothing in return.

As usual, MTA doesn’t tell us about the problem until after they have fixed it.

In related incompetance, a broken-down New Haven Line car resulted in delays of a half hour or more during rush hour this morning.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Metrocard Machines Took Money, Gave No Cards – Systemwide – For 2 Days

The Times quotes MTA CFO Gary J. Dellaverson as calling the financial outlook ‘gloomy’ amongst other sad terms, and that tax revenue on MTA Real Estate deals is a major factor. Concerns about subway ridership should Wall Street see major staffing cutbacks was also mentioned by Dellaverson.

On the bright side, the improvements might be approved by June if things pick up.

Included in the improvements:

1. More frequent service on the G line in Brooklyn and Queens
2. Extending B and W service on weeknights to 11 p.m. from the current 9:30 p.m.
3. Decreased wait time for evening service on the 1, 4 and 6 lines.
4. Creation of a new bus line, the M13, from the Lower East Side to East Midtown
5. Extension of the B71 and B77 buses from Brooklyn via the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel into Manhattan, continuing to South Ferry.

Trainjotting is also covering MTA’s Broken Promises.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Subway Improvements Promised As Part Of MTA Fare Increase May Not Happen

Hopefully if you were smart you already purchased your new multiride.

Oh, and swimsuit season is coming, so time to practice those hurdles!

photo: Philip Dembinski

Not as easy as this guy makes it look my friend, believe me.

Realted: Check out SecondAvenueSagas Subway Report Card 

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Welcome to the Post-Fare-Hike Work Week

Our straphanging pals over at SecondAveSagas reminisce about the days when repeatedly sending out each member of your family to purchase subway tokens was the thinking man’s way to beat a fare hike.

But before you launch your master scheme of buying scores of unlimited ride tickets and Ebaying your way to early retirement, you might want to read what they have to say on the subject.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Should I Load Up on MetroCards Today to Beat the Fare Hike?